Top Frequently Asked Questions
What is the state of Utah doing to save Great Salt Lake?
Utah has taken decisive action to strengthen the Great Salt Lake, including:
- Eradicating thousands of acres of invasive, thirsty plants.
- Launching hundreds of agricultural optimization projects to reduce water use.
- Installing thousands of secondary water meters to track and conserve every drop.
- Augmenting water supply by 5-15% through cloud seeding, a form of weather modification that improves the efficiency of a cloud’s ability to produce rain or snow.
- Working with agricultural landowners to lease water to Great Salt Lake.
- Working with legislators to implement policy changes and funding that target the broader welfare of water. More than $1 billion has been invested in programs and projects to improve water efficiency.
What are some of the environmental impacts of Great Salt Lake drying up?
As the water recedes, more lakebed (playa) is exposed. The lakebed contains naturally occurring and industrial arsenic, lead, and mercury. Prevailing winds could carry this dust into the Wasatch Front, potentially spiking respiratory illnesses. This doesn't just affect public health; it threatens Utah's $12 billion tourism and ski industry, as "hot dust" on snow melts it faster and shortens the season.
- This is why the Utah Legislature has pivoted aggressively to focus on efforts and policy changes that get more water to the lake. The creation of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner in 2023 gives the lake a legal "voice" and a dedicated strategist to manage these cascading risks.
What wildlife is impacted by the Great Salt Lake?
The Great Salt Lake is a vital stop for migratory birds on their annual migration from the Arctic to Argentina. Over 12 million birds from 330 species rely on the lake. If the brine shrimp and brine fly populations collapse due to high salinity (which can happen as lake levels drop), birds lose their "refueling station." Without these birds, we lose the natural "biological services" they provide across the continent. This includes pest control and seed dispersal, which are essential for the health of forests and agricultural lands thousands of miles away.
The Great Salt Lake provides 40% to 45% of the world's supply of brine shrimp cysts. These cysts are the primary food source for commercial prawn and fish farms globally. A failure of the lake’s brine shrimp population would trigger a price surge in global protein markets and threaten food security in regions far beyond Utah's borders.
What is water leasing?
During the 2026 General Legislative Session, HB 410: Water Leasing Amendments, was passed, creating the Great Salt Lake Preservation Program. Under this program, farmers can receive compensation for temporarily leasing a portion of their water rights to benefit the Great Salt Lake. Full-season leasing will be limited to no more than two of every five years. Providing farmers with opportunities to upgrade their practices and lease a portion of their water in a voluntary, flexible way will allow them to make well-informed choices about their operations while also being a part of the multi-faceted state effort to get more water to the lake. Could we get water from Idaho to send to Great Salt Lake?
It's technically possible to pipe water from the Snake River to the Great Salt Lake, and the idea has been explored. However, the Snake River Compact (1949) between Idaho and Wyoming governs the Snake River and determines how the water is divided. In addition to the water right challenges, moving water from the Snake River could introduce invasive species, pathogens, or different mineral compositions that could disrupt the delicate brine shrimp and bird populations of Great Salt Lake. It would also reduce the flow that eventually reaches the Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean, affecting hydroelectric power and salmon runs in the Pacific Northwest.
The Utah Legislature created a "Water Agent" in 2024 with S.B.211, tasked with exploring ideas and collaborating with our neighboring states, recognizing that many of our shared challenges – like water, air quality, recreation and wildfire – don’t respect state boundaries.
Could we create a pipeline from the ocean to Great Salt Lake?
About the Great Salt Lake & Ecology
Building a pipeline from the Pacific Ocean is an option included in the GSL Strike team report and was
studied by academics.
However, high costs (construction and energy) and logistical challenges, including pumping water up an elevation of roughly 4,200 vertical feet and different salinity (the lake is roughly 3.5 to 8 times saltier than the ocean), mean such a project could have adverse environmental impacts, including harm to the ecosystem. This option has not been eliminated, but it is considered one of the least feasible options. What is the causeway berm and what does it do?
A solid, rock-filled railroad causeway built by Union Pacific in 1959 physically cuts the lake in half. The berm is a tool used to manage salinity import/export between the North and South Arms as it is raised and lowered. The South Arm supports massive populations of brine shrimp and brine flies, which feed over 330 bird species. The North Arm is too salty to support this level of food-web activity.
What is phragmites and is the state removing it?
Non-native phragmites is a thirsty, highly invasive reed that chokes out native vegetation. They aggressively expand and form dense, tall (10-15’) patches. Phragmites decimates migratory bird habitat, outcompetes native plants, reduces biodiversity, reduces water availability, and disrupts hydrology. Many agencies are currently working to reduce phragmites in the watershed, including the divisions of Wildlife Resources and Forestry, Fire and State Lands. Treatment methods include herbicide, mowing/trampling, fire, grazing, water control and revegetation. Converting 55,000 acres of phragmites to native inland saltgrass is estimated to conserve 80,000 to 82,000 acre-feet of water annually. Learn more about the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands' phragmites removal efforts. Have you dredged the lake to make it deeper?
Dredging has occurred at the Great Salt Lake Boat Harbor to keep the marina operational during times of low water. The dredging provides a deeper channel out to the main body of the lake as well as access to the boat ramp and search and rescue boat dock. Funding limitations prevented managers from dredging the entire marina.
Great Salt Lake Dust
The Utah Division of Air Quality oversees Great Salt Lake dust monitoring and general air quality. Contact the Division of Air Quality for more information. Water Strategy & Supply
Can we refill the lake with reservoir water?
95% of the state’s water supply comes from snowpack. Reservoirs collect and store spring runoff for use throughout the year and are part of an overall water management strategy. Reservoirs provide drinking water, support agriculture, sustain healthy ecosystems and enable the recreation that defines so much of life in Utah. Reservoir releases are not simply a recreation issue. The water stored in reservoirs like Bear Lake, Pineview, and others is managed under existing water rights. Any proposal to release stored water to Great Salt Lake would need to carefully evaluate the legal ownership of the water, the purpose for which it was stored (for example, Deer Creek provides drinking water to about half of the state), downstream delivery constraints, and the impacts to communities that rely on that supply. In many cases, releasing reservoir water could affect farmers, cities, businesses, and households, not just boaters or recreation users. Refilling reservoirs is also dependent on snowpack, which is weather-dependent. Visit the Division of Water Resources reservoir information webpage. Is Cloud Seeding effective?
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique designed to increase a cloud’s efficiency in producing rain or snow. It does not "steal" water; it boosts natural processes in clouds that are already producing precipitation. Utah does cloud seeding from November to April, when storms make it effective.
Historic cloud seeding evaluations have shown increases in the 6-12% range. However, Utah has modernized and expanded its program, which is being evaluated to determine yield. The goal is to increase precipitation by 15-20%. Learn more about Utah's cloud seeding program, which is administered by the Utah Division of Water Resources.
Agriculture
Are any agricultural partners working together to help Great Salt Lake?
The Great Salt Lake Commissioner’s Office works very closely with the farming community, which is critical to the work underway to restore the lake to healthier levels. The Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust is also building relationships and engaging with the farming community.
How much alfalfa is sold overseas?
While Utah exports some feed internationally, more than 2/3 of its feed crop stays in the domestic market. Animal agriculture represents the single largest sector of farm income in Utah, and over 75% of Utah dairy products are processed and sold within the state. The state has a vested interest in supporting sustainable agriculture in Utah and increasing our ability to feed Utahns with local food – something that is often more nutritious, higher quality, and better for the local economy than imported products.
Is it true that agriculture makes up less than 2% of our economy in Utah, but uses up to 80% of our water?
Water diversions in Utah account for only about 8% of the total water use in the state, and agricultural use may account for up to 75% of that 8%. That number varies wildly from county to county, however, with agriculture using as little as 6% of diversions in urban counties like Salt Lake. The share of agricultural diversions has been decreasing over recent years as municipal shares have increased. The 2026 Great Salt Lake Data & Insights Summary from the GSL Strike Team reports that contributions are needed from agricultural, urban, and industrial sources in order to make a significant conservation impact. Through the UDAF Agricultural Water Optimization Program, farmers have invested over $52 million of their own money in infrastructure upgrades – a figure that represents a fraction of total individual and state-level conservation efforts. What policies or procedures are in place to ensure agriculture is conserving water?
Each area of the state has a varied composition and climate, which makes it unrealistic to mandate certain practices for all agricultural land. Practices like drip irrigation may be effective for some farmers, but can be cost prohibitive and may not be usable in some areas, since they require continuous water which many producers don’t have access to. Additionally, there is potential for damage from the environment and wildlife. Flood irrigation, on the other hand, can be highly efficient for level fields with clay soils, which are abundant in Utah.
From a crop perspective, alfalfa is drought-hardy and a reliable crop with efficient yields and high environmental protection from erosion. A significant amount of Utah's alfalfa crop supports feed for Utah ranches and increases self-sustainability in our state. In some areas of Utah, producers may be suited to change crops, but it may not be a helpful or feasible option for other areas. Many practices present such challenges, which is why the state runs programs like the Agricultural Water Optimization Program, which has helped producers implement new practices and infrastructure over the last 5 years and saved over 125,000 acre feet of water annually, which is nearly 85% of the total water storage in all of Deer Creek Reservoir each year.
The state is investing in improving agricultural water usage, and every participating farmer has invested their own time and money, dollar for dollar, into saving water as well. Also, it’s important to note that while efficiency programs can help farmers, they do not automatically create water for Great Salt Lake or other downstream uses because reduced diversions may also reduce return flows. To benefit the lake, conserved water generally needs to be measured, legally protected, and accounted for so it reaches the intended destination.
Water Rights & Leasing
How long do your partners lease water for? Will you eventually buy the water rights?
Water leasing opportunities are generally not coupled with the option to buy those water rights later. Permanent water right acquisitions take place outside of leasing opportunities and are administered by the Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust. Leasing is designed to be flexible, allowing the water right owner to make decisions based on their individual needs and circumstances. Leasing contracts can range from one to 10 years. Who is working with irrigation companies, water districts and municipalities about water leasing to the lake?
The Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust and the Great Salt Lake Commissioner’s Office are the two main entities leasing water rights for the lake. The Great Salt Lake Watershed Enhancement Trust received $40M in 2023, which is being utilized to facilitate deals. The Great Salt Lake Commissioner’s Office has employees who work with farmers and water right holders to inform them of water leasing opportunities. Water conservancy districts are the governing agencies over municipal water rights and have authority over them. How many irrigation companies and water districts are within the Great Salt Lake watershed?
Over 700 irrigation companies operate within the Great Salt Lake Basin, along with numerous cities, towns, water conservancy districts, improvement districts, special service districts and secondary water providers. Four main water conservancy districts operate within the Great Salt Lake Basin: Weber Basin WCD, Jordan Valley WCD, Central Utah WCD and Bear River WCD.
Can the state mandate how those with water rights can use their water?
Water rights in Utah are regulated through statutory mechanisms that govern diversion, beneficial use, priority, measurement, changes, distribution, and enforcement. Water is public property, but individuals and entities hold the right to use water for authorized beneficial purposes. The State Engineer who is also the director of the Utah Division of Water Rights can regulate whether water is diverted and used within the limits of a water right. That includes requiring measuring devices, controlling works, reporting, and compliance with distribution orders. If a water user diverts more than authorized, fails to comply with measurement requirements, interferes with other rights, or violates an order, enforcement tools may include orders, restrictions, and penalties. The state generally does not mandate a specific irrigation method simply because one method may be more efficient. Governance & Stakeholders
How does Great Salt Lake coordination work?
The Legislature created the Great Salt Lake Commissioner’s Office in 2023 with HB491 to coordinate the many state, federal, nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders working on issues related to the lake. In 2025, the Commissioner’s Office was moved under the Utah Department of Natural Resources to ensure close coordination. What are you asking of the State Legislature for Great Salt Lake?
Primarily, funding and policy support for water leasing. Since 2021, the Utah Legislature has passed more water-related bills and appropriated more funding for water conservation, efficiency and infrastructure than the previous 50 years combined. For example, H.B. 33 instream flow redefined “beneficial use,” which is the biggest shift in water law since statehood, and allows water-right holders to legally lease or permanently dedicate water directly to the lake without risking the forfeiture of their rights. The state is focusing on areas that will have the greatest impact now and in the future, including infrastructure improvements, conservation and habitat improvements (phragmites removal). Would tiered water rates incentivize conservation?
The Utah Legislature has passed multiple laws mandating tiered water rates for drinking water, including SB 28 (2016), and incentivizing or requiring them for secondary (irrigation) water. While the state doesn't set the specific dollar amounts—leaving that to local cities and water districts—it has created a legal framework requiring tiered rates for most providers so water becomes more expensive as use increases. What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doing to support the Great Salt Lake?
The state partners with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it has ramped up its conservation efforts over the last 20 years, moving away from lawn-intensive landscapes. In 2022, the Presiding Bishopric created a Sustainability Office and a Sustainability Leadership Committee. Recent highlights include:
- Implemented waterwise landscaping techniques and installed smart controllers across Church properties in Utah, which are estimated to save 400 million gallons of water in the Great Salt Lake Basin.
- Donated and leased substantial amounts of water to the effort to save the Great Salt Lake.
- Encouraged members to be good stewards of natural resources and to conserve water.
How did the state purchase US Magnesium?
The state of Utah was the winning bidder in the bankruptcy proceedings for US Magnesium and secured its water rights (over 223,000 acre-feet), ~4,500 acres of land, and other assets. Acquiring the water rights allows the state to halt any unnecessary withdrawals from the lake. It allows prioritizing water for the lake and stabilizing the ecosystem's health. Government acquisition enables on-site control and a partnership with the state and the EPA for site reclamation.
Purchase Summary
- FFSL acquired 144,790 acre-feet of lake water rights, 75,000 acre-feet of water near Newfoundland Basin, and several thousand acre feet of various water rights associated with operations.
- Approximately 4,500 acres of land and real property adjacent to Great Salt Lake.
- Right of Ways and easements associated with the site.
- The mineral lease and memorandum of understanding that allowed US Magnesium to extract minerals from Great Salt Lake.
- Assets including certain fixtures and personal property were not included in the sale.